The Old Log Cabin

By Melody Martin

A novel Betty the main character in this book goes to explore the woods her parents just bought. Deep in the woods, she discovers an old cabin. Inside she finds a three-dollar gold coin. It takes her on a roller-coaster ride through the past that she is unable to stop. Follow her and she skips across the past finding adventure where ever she goes. Each time she longs to get back to her love, David.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melody Martin
• Release date: Jul 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393153559

Melody Martin

I spent 3 years in the Navy. Today I spend My time writing or Painting. I am a very Independent woman Living in Kansas. This is just another stop in my journey through life. I was born in New York in 1941. So, I was alive when they bombed Pearl Harb I grew up on a small farm In Ulster County. The war years were tough but I never went hungry

Book preview

Chapter One

A walk in the Woods

It is October 17,2016; Betty Just got a new gun from her brother as a birthday gift. Her brother is a gun-loving fast-draw artist. He goes from place to place to participate in contests involving fast draws and accurate shooting. He taught Betty some of his skills and she was getting quite good at it. She dreamed of following him to some of these contests someday. She still had a long way to go to be anywhere close to her brother’s skill level. He also taught her some karate moves. The weather had been rainy and windy. There has not been a frost yet and the trees still had yet to shed their leaves. It would not be long before a frost hit and they would change into a virtual rainbow of colors. Oklahoma is usually this way in the fall but this year there was a lot more rain.

It was a warm and peaceful day and she decided to take a walk in the wooded area behind the house they just bought last month. She did not know what to expect in the wooded area. She looked at the gun her brother had given her and she decided to put the gun belt around her curvy waist and carry it into the woods. There had been rumors of bears and mountain lions but she did not really expect to see any of them. It never hurts to be ready for trouble than not. She knew that her parents had bought fifty acres of land to the back of the house. She would not be trespassing on any body’s property. The land backs up to a nature preserve and there was a ten-foot-high fence at the back. This was told to her parents when they bought it. The land back there was like a virgin forest. No one knew what was there.

She crossed and old split rain fence about two hundred feet behind the house. The forest floor, covered with deep layers of leaves from previous years. They crunched beneath her feet as she walked. If anything or anything tried to sneak up on her, she surely would hear it. After walking for ten minutes, she could no longer see the house. She began to worry about finding her way back as the forest was very dense. She began breaking branches so she could see where she had been. Then she saw a small clearing in the forest. She saw what looked like a house. No one she knew of had ever lived back here. As she got closer, she could tell that this log house had been unoccupied for a very long time. She went to the side of the log cabin. There was a door it was partly open held up with leather hinges.

Her curiosity got the best of her. She grabbed the handle of the door, one of the leather hinges gave way, and it fell against the wall. She peered inside and there was furniture made of wood they were falling apart. Maybe there were more treasures inside. She stepped over the transom of the door and went inside. On the floor, there was something shiny. The sun made it glimmer as its rays hit it through the broken window in the back. She leaned over and picked it up. She examined it and saw it was a three-dollar gold coin. She smiled happily she had found her treasure. She slipped it into the pocket in her jeans and continued looking. Then there was a bright flash and a clap of thunder. It knocked her off balance and she fell down and hit her head. When she woke up daylight was shining through the still partly closed door. It is still attached to the leather hinges. Not like, it was when she first pulled on it. She stepped outside and there was a path leading away from the cabin. It appeared to be a well-traveled. Betty followed the path to see where it went. She stepped from the forest to a dirt road that looked well-traveled.

Chapter Two

Tulsa Oklahoma

1866

She heard the hooves of horses coming her way. This is not possible she says to herself. Then coming around the bend there was a team of four horses pulling a stagecoach. Shaking her head, she could not believe her eyes. This is supposed to be a nature preserve. As the stagecoach approached, the driver saw her standing beside the road. He pulled back on the reigns and the coach came to a stop beside her. The driver called out, are you looking for a ride little girl? She did not understand her compulsion to get into the coach but something was driving her to do so. The driver said; we are headed for Tulsa. The fare is .50 cents do you have any money. She reached in her pocket and retrieved the gold coin. She held it out and he said; I do not have change, you can go to the bank in Tulsa and get change for that when we get there.

She climbed into the coach and sat down near a man who reeked of alcohol and stunk as if he had not had a bath in years. There was a couple opposite her, the woman was dressed in an old-style dress she had seen in pictures of the old west. The man wore a suit and its style looked like that period too. The drunk had passed out or was sleeping and Betty held her nose to stifle the odors emanating from this person. The woman sitting across from her was holding a lace handkerchief over her nose. She giggled at Betty’s actions and spoke. My name is Belle Reed, what is your name? Betty Waters, she said to the woman. This is Jim Reed, and we are traveling to California. Betty was confused. At first, she thought this might be an old west reenactment. She asked Betty; where did you get those duds. I have never seen any that looked like that. Betty replied; I got them at Walmart a few weeks ago. The woman looked confused but seemed satisfied with her answer.

As the horses pulled the stage down the dirt road, dust is kicked up and infiltrates the open windows. She looked in her pocket to find something she might hold over her nose but there was nothing but the gold coin and some paper money. She remembered she had put forty-five dollars in the jean pocket that morning. Maybe the bank in Tulsa would be able to give her change for the money. The coach pitched back and forth and from side to side. Betty felt as if she was getting seasick.

Finally, they arrived in Tulsa. She got off out of the stagecoach when her feet hit the ground she was wobbly and could not walk a straight line. She saw a bank and headed towards it promising the driver she would be back with the fare. The passengers got out of the coach also. The drunk had help from the local sheriff. The sheriff put manacles on the man’s hands and loudly announced; I warned you, never come back to my town. Now you will spend two weeks in my jail.

Betty walked to the bank and went inside. She pulled a twenty-dollar bill out of her pocket and asked for change. The banker held it up and examined it. What kind of money is this supposed to be? Betty said; a twenty-dollar bill. He laughed at her, your joking right. She said no, I am not joking and I would like change. He said I cannot give you change for this; it is as phony as a three dollar bill. Look at the date on it; was printed in the year 2005. Unless you have, some real money, leave my bank and do not come back. Betty remembered the three-dollar gold coin. She took it out and put it down. The man said; that is more like it. That I can change for you. He took the coin and gave her two silver dollars and some silver coins worth a quarter dollar each. Betty went back to the coach and gave the driver two of the silver coins.

Betty resigned herself from thinking this is a dream. It was very real in all aspects. The dust on her clothes, the stagecoach ride. The bank did not know what a twenty-dollar bill is. What will she do now? She wanted to get this dirt off her body; the smell of the drunk still filled her nose. She looked down the street and saw a sign that read; boarding house. She wondered if they had a room she could stay in or a bathtub she could wash off her body. She walked down to this house and stood on the stoop. A woman called out from inside; do not just stand there, come on in. Betty went inside the woman asked; what can I do to help you, little girl. Betty replied, do you have a room for me. Maybe a bathtub I can use to clean up. The woman replied; a room is a dollar a week and a bath is twenty-five cents more and we bathe woman on Friday men on Thursday. What is your name child and where are your parents. She replied I am Betty Waters; my parents live in east Oklahoma. She said well they call me Sarah when they want something or just plain Sally. My dear child; she said, where in the world did you get those clothes? I have not seen the likes of them in all my life. Betty replied with the same answer as before. I got them at Walmart. Sally shook her head, never heard of that. No matter, you will need some clothes or you will stick out like a sore thumb here. There is a mercantile across the street you can get something presentable there.

Betty lowered her head; I only have a dollar and twenty-five cents after I pay you. Sally looked at her and again shook her head. What in the world were your parents thinking about sending you to Tulsa with nearly no money? The only way to make money here is prostitution and you do not look the type. Betty replied; there has to be another way I can make money. I graduated from high school. I am good at math and English; I scored high in chemistry and biology. Sally’s eyes opened wide. Is this high school is in Oklahoma? Betty said; of course, all towns have high schools. Sally said; well we do not have one.

The town mayor is still looking for a schoolteacher, maybe you should talk to him. The one who taught here just married a gambler and left town. Tell you what, you go to the mercantile and. She stopped mid-sentence. Just come with me, I used to be about your size when I was younger. They went to the back to where Sally slept and opened a trunk filled with clothes and mothballs. Sally took out several dresses that looked as if they might fit Betty. Try these on and I will make an exception, I will draw you a bath where you can clean up. My son is almost nine years old and he cannot even spell his own name. Maybe you can teach him.

Sally left Betty there to try on the clothes she had taken from the trunk. Aside from smelling like mothballs, she liked them. Sally returned, reached over to the dresser, picked up a cameo neckless, and put it over her head. This will top the outfit off. Still, she thought about how out of place in the world she knew in 2016 would be. It was rather fun looking at herself in these period clothes. Betty started to disrobe as Sally went to draw a bath for Betty. When she came back she had a shocked look on her face. Oh my God, that underwear hardly covers anything. Betty thought for a moment and said; everyone, where I come from, wears these. Sally said; okay, I have your bath ready and some lilac water you can splash on after you wash off the dust and dirt. Did these dresses fit you? Betty said; yes, they did just like a glove. Betty followed her to where the bathtub is, it was an old iron tub and in it was only a few inches of water. However, it was warm and at that point, any water to bathe in was wonderful.

She got out of the tub splashed some of the Lilac water on herself. Then she wrapped a large towel around her body and went back to the room where Sally stayed. Sally was waiting for her. I have not had this much fun is a coon's age. Just like little girls playing dress-up. Betty understood the humor of it all and laughed. It is the first time she laughed since walking through the door of that cabin. Sally helped her with some of the buttons in the back and then pointed her towards the Mayor's place.

She walked across the street holding the hem of the dress up from dragging on the ground. She knocked on the door and a grumpy voice from inside hollered out. Who knocks on doors? Betty replied to the voice inside and the mayor opened it. He said; you must have some southern belle in you, no one on this side of the Mississippi knocks on doors. Betty replied to the man; no, I am from eastern Oklahoma. Well sit and tell me what I can do for you the mayor said. Betty looked him right in the eyes. It is what I can do for you. I understand you may need a teacher for your school. The mayor said; I am sorry, I am just a fat old man, forgive me for being so gruff. My name is Paul Hammond, and yes, we do need a teacher. He took out a book and handed it to her. This is my weekly journal read what is written there. Betty took it from him and began to read the entries. After she read the first three, she looked at him, sir you have misspelled constable it is not consable but c.o.n.s.t.a.b.l.e. He said, what forty-two times three. Betty replied kind of laughing one hundred and twenty-six.

He looked at her girl you got a job. Teachers pay is 7.50 a week. Will that is good for you? Betty had a summer job last year that paid 7.50 an hour but this was a completely new situation here. Rent a dollar a week she thought to herself, I could do this. I accept the offer and when will I start. The mayor replied; well today is Saturday so you can start on Monday. The building is open so you may go there and see if there are any supplies, you will need. The town supplies all of them. Betty got out of her chair, thanked the mayor, and looked over her shoulder. Where is the school? He pointed up the street you cannot miss it. They call it North Tulsa Academy.

Chapter Three

The School Teacher

Betty walked on the board sidewalk as far as it went. Then stepped off on the grass and continued until she saw a white building that looked like a school. Over the door, it said North Tulsa Academy. She pulled the door open and went inside. The school had one-piece desks. The tops of which were carved up. It looked like children had done this with jackknives. That was not a problem there were nearly no books and the ones there were outdated. The blackboard was in good shape and there seemed to be plenty of chalk. There were chalkboards stacked neatly by the deck in the front.

Betty knew from some of her history, these were used a lot in schools at this time because of the shortage of paper. The school was to her satisfaction with the exception of the old books. She would talk to the mayor about that.

It was Monday and she got to the school at 7 am to organize the things she felt she needed on the first day. As she prepares to teach, she recounts her life in 2016. She misses her mother and father. Her friends and her fiancé she was with at the time. Her life changed in one instant. She could not call her mom she had no cell phone. She remembered from her history Alexander Graham Bell got the patent for telephones in 1876. This is the year 1866 there is telegraph but whom she would send it to while in 1866. Then she thought US Mail. Well, she could try but again the address where she lived then is not even on a map. She stopped thinking of that and grabbed the rope that hung from the bell tower and pulled it. The bell sounded out loudly now she wondered would the children come.

One by one children arrived as they did she asked their names what grade they were in and what they liked about learning. As they told her, she wrote their names on the blackboard. The